Henry Power

Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations

Three of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world came from around the
Mediterranean Sea. These three were Persia, Greece, and Rome. The legacy left behind by
these three expansive empires is still clearly visible today. It can be seen in everything from
sports, and architecture, to even the way that the world is governed today.

Human rights, including religious freedom, were pioneered in Ancient Persia. Under the
rule of Cyrus the Great, Persia prospered, not only because he was an amazing commander and
tactician, but also because he knew how to keep both the Persians and the people of the
nations he subjugated happy. He did this by allowing them to worship whatever gods they
chose to, and by allowing each nation to still govern itself, to a degree. If this had not happened
human rights in modern countries may not have looked the same. They did not have as high
standards for these rights, as there are in countries such as America, but this provided a starting
place for people to rise from.

Greece also had major a major impact on modern life, through sports, theater, and
architecture. The Olympics were originated as a competition to please the gods, but has grown
into a worldwide event where different countries come together to see who has the best
athletes. In addition to this the Greeks placed large importance on theater, mostly comedies
and tragedies, which changed into modern theater. Some of the more famous Ancient Greek
plays are still preformed today. It could be said however that their architecture has had an even
greater impact than the previous two topics. The style of architecture that they used is still used
in a widespread manner for governmental buildings, across the world today.

Romes strongest contribution was its form of government while it had been a republic.
This style of government is most visible in the multiple houses of government in America. This
was made up of three main areas; the Consuls, the Senate, Assemblies. The Consuls were
similar to the American president, but were different as there were two of them, they had
shorter terms, and their power was differently limited than the modern president. The Roman
Senate is very nearly the same as the American Senate, and was only different in a few minor
ways. The Roman Assemblies and the American House of Representatives were also very near
to the same thing and legislated the laws written up by the senates.
Henry Power

Certainly Persia and Greece could be said to have influenced Rome and helped shape it
into the expansive empire that it became. But to the modern world the Persians contributed
their view of human rights, the Greeks much of their culture and architecture, and the Romans
their form of government. It is hard to say which of these amazing civilizations had the greatest
impact, but it is clear that their legacies were extremely long lasting, and will most likely
continue to be so.